https://reefphoto.com/blogs/faq.atomReef Photo & Video - FAQ2017-12-22T17:01:00-05:00Reef Photo & Videohttps://reefphoto.com/blogs/faq/a-guide-to-deciding-what-underwater-camera-system-is-right-for-you2017-12-22T17:01:00-05:002018-02-13T16:48:43-05:00A Guide to Deciding What Underwater Camera System is Right for YouBethany Gaffey
One of the most important responsibilities we have at Reef Photo and Video is helping customers figure what kind of Underwater Camera system is right for them...

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The number of new camera releases over the last 12 months has truly been amazing. One of the most important responsibilities we have at Reef Photo and Video is helping customers figure what kind of Underwater Camera system is right for them – it isn’t always as obvious as it might seem at first!

We are currently breaking digital camera categories into three major groups with important sub groups in some of these categories. The first group is the traditional Digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras or DSLR that continues to evolve and refine. The next category would be Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras with numerous options available at this time and more coming regularly. The last category is Compact Cameras with a handful of cameras that are most suitable for the underwater enthusiast to use. There are clearly pros and cons to each category and understanding them will help hone in the decision making process. So let’s take a look.

Digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras

SLRs have been going underwater for decades and all things considered, a DSLR in a housing with good quality lenses is still the easiest, most consistently successful underwater imaging system a photographer can own. That doesn’t mean it is the answer for everyone as there are always caveats, but it will do everything you ask of it very, very well and these cameras continue to improve.

DSLR Pros and Cons

Lens Choice: SLRs have been around a long time and are very popular. This means access to an extensive lens selection and many excellent choices for underwater use with more options for Nikon and Canon DSLRs than any other type of system.

Viewfinder: At this time there is still no equal to an optical viewfinder for exacting focus - “what you see is what you get.” Viewfinders employ “distance focus” which is easier than an LCD for most people.

Focus: Auto focus is improving in every camera format, but DSLRs generally have the most focus points and greatest accuracy. Manual Focus is an option on some lenses.

Reliability: Build quality is not an absolute, but usually DSLRs are a bit more robust.

Image Quality: Sensors used in DSLRs are at least APS-C size or larger. A larger sensor (all things being equal) will generally provide better high ISO / low light performance in stills and video.

Ease of Use: DSLRs have more dedicated controls than other types of cameras and are therefore quicker and easier to operate – topside and underwater.

Performance: DSLR’s usually have higher top shutter speeds for stopping action in natural light and higher synch speeds which can be helpful to control ambient exposure and motion. Shutter lag is virtually zero.

Size: DSLR housings are larger, but if balanced properly they are actually quite easy to handle underwater. Topside, they are definitely heavier and require more luggage space to travel with.

Price: DSLR systems will generally be more expensive than alternatives - though many parts of the system (lenses, ports, lighting) may well outlive the original camera. Full frame systems will be more expensive than an equivalent crop sensor system.

One Lens per Dive: Some will see going diving with a prime lens or short range zoom as a sacrifice over a compact’s ability to do “everything” with the help of wet-lenses. In practice, many find this “focused” approach ultimately yields more quality shots per dive, more often.

Diver With Complete DSLR Camera System

APS-C (Crop Sensor) vs Full Frame Sensors for DSLR Shooters

There is no clear winner on sensor size, each category has benefits and liabilities for underwater use. There are good lenses available for use with either sensor size, but arguably there are some better lens options for the underwater crop sensor shooter – and often at a lower price.

Many photographers may find shooting cropped sensor cameras more “forgiving.” This is primarily because at any given field of view and aperture setting the cropped sensor camera will exhibit greater depth of field - more “in-focus” area - than on a full frame camera. Many macro shooters enjoy this quality and the way it is easier to fill the frame because of the crop sensor’s inherently narrower FOV at a given focal length. Crop sensor cameras (and lenses) are generally a little smaller than full frame cameras, but this is changing somewhat with smaller full frame camera bodies.

Full frame cameras offer up superior low light / high ISO performance and hence are a favorite for ambient light shooting and videography. Full frame cameras also have a distinct advantage for shallow depth of field specific shooting. Lastly, if the same size pixels and density are used on a cropped sensor and full frame sensor; the full frame will be significantly higher resolution.

Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras

The category seeing the most explosive development in recent years is clearly the mirrorless group. Their popularity has really taken off as the supporting equipment for these little powerhouses has improved greatly. The pleasure of a compact size camera with high quality interchangeable lenses and DSLR level image quality (in some cases) has clearly struck a chord with photographers everywhere. Fortunately many of these exciting camera systems have excellent underwater housing support. For someone looking to travel light, but shoot like a heavyweight, these could be just the solution.

Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera Pros and Cons

Size: The greatest appeal of these systems is clearly their DSLR-like features in a compact size, where a complete UW system might pack in a half of the space of a full DSLR system.

Lens Selection: Mirroless systems that have been out for a few years have a good selection of lenses for use underwater. Micro 4/3 (Panasonic & Olympus) has by far the most lenses with the Sony NEX E series growing closely behind.

Auto Focus: The AF on the mirrorless systems is advancing rapidly and can be quite fast and accurate – definitely better than most compacts.

Relative Sizes of Popular Digital Camera Sensors.

The blue outside line represents the size of a full frame sensor (identical in size to 35mm film format.)

Large Sensors: Sensor size matters (to a degree) and most mirrorless formats are fairly large. Micro 4/3 is larger than all compacts and the Canon and Sony offerings are APS-C size – just like a crop sensor DSLR.

Video Quality: It is quite common for these cameras to be able to shoot 1080 30P or 60P video with excellent results.

View Finders: Electronic View Finders (EVF) have become more common on some mirrorless systems. While still not as effective as an optical VF, they can be a real boon for UW photographers. They have much higher resolution than the rear LCD display and allow for the use of distance vision rather than close up vision – a definite plus for many of us!

Frames Per Second: High frame rates are rarely critical for the underwater photographer, but without a mirror to deal with, some of these cameras can pump out 10 frames a second or more when not firing a flash. Think swimming with dolphins perhaps?

Price: The cost for a mirrorless system will slot firmly in-between a high end compact set up and a DSLR rig with comparable lenses. This is a clear case of you get what you pay for and if items are chosen carefully, you can get DSLR-like results at a good price point.

Functionality: Smaller cameras mean fewer controls. All things being similar, a mirrorless system in a housing is not going to be quite as easy or direct to operate as a DSLR in a housing. It doesn’t mean it is difficult, just more menu driven.

A Complete Mirrorless Underwater Camera System

A Complete Mirrorless Camera System With Macro and Fisheye Leneses and Ports Packed for Travel

Compact Cameras – Is smaller better?

The original compact cameras were truly “point and shoot” in nature and not the image producers that we covet. Now there are compacts that many DSLR enthusiasts are happy to carry for that “special moment” and allow full manual control when desired. Image quality has improved immensely in the last few years. These new cameras have broad appeal, but aren’t the perfect underwater imaging solution for everyone.The most important qualities to look for in this huge market segment of cameras for underwater photography is a reasonably big sensor (compared to other compacts), good resolution, the ability to shoot RAW files and the option of full manual control. Lastly there should be high quality housing options with the ability to fire a flash and some compatibility with good underwater “wet lenses”.

Compact Pros and Cons

Versatility: Compacts generally have a big zoom range with their built-in lens. This can be enhanced with add on “wet lenses”, both close up and wide angle – all on one dive.Size: The smallest, lightest way to travel with underwater photo gear.Price: The most economical option for underwater photography. The system can be expanded with accessories over time.Video: Quality and specifications of HD video have improved significantly.Ease of use: Compacts have the fewest controls and are not always the easiest cameras to use. The small size means the menu is used more often for critical functions. Some controls can be smaller and closely spaced making use with cold water gloves difficult.Shutter Lag: While improving in recent years, compacts still have more shutter lag than mirror-less or DSLR cameras.Functionality: Features like auto-focus and white balance are generally less sophisticated than the other camera categories.

You are cordially invited to visit the ultimate candy store for the underwater photographer or videographer. We all know how great the web can be for getting specifications, reviews and opinions about underwater imaging gear, but there are some things that you just cannot find on the internet.

Will that new housing fit your hands? Or your diving style? Or even your luggage? There's nothing quite like being able to lay hands on new equipment to get a feeling for what you are actually buying, and we are here to help.

If you are in South Florida, please come in, say hi, and check out all of our great products first hand. We would love to meet you, have a chat, let you fondle that new housing, and answer all of your questions.

Our hours of operation are:

Monday thru Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.

Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

Sundays or after hours by appointment

Our address is:

Reef Photo & Video2303 N. Andrews Ave.Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33311

We're located just ½ mile South of Oakland Park Blvd on Andrews Ave in Fort Lauderdale.

Driving Directions:

From the South:

From the Florida Keys, take the Florida Turnpike Northbound to I-595, then West to I-95 Northbound.

From Miami take I-95 Northbound.

From Fort Lauderdale International Airport, take I-595 West to I-95 Northbound.

From the North:

From Orlando, take the Florida Turnpike Southbound to Indiantown Road (SR-706) in Jupiter, then East to I-95 Southbound.

From Daytona, the Space Coast and Palm Beach county, take I-95 South.

Then, from I-95 in Fort Lauderdale:

Take Exit 31, Oakland Park Blvd (FL-816) Eastbound

Go East on Oakland Park Blvd. for .9mi (1.5km) to Andrews Ave.

Turn right (South) on Andrews

Go 0.6mi (1km) to 23rd St.

Reef Photo & Video is on the right side of the street in the Salmon colored building.

Parking is around the corner on 23rd St.

Public Transportation:

For visitors without access to a car, the Tri-Rail system connects Maimi, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach county, which in turn connects to Broward Transit bus routes.

For orders with a value of less than $500USD, we do not require a signature for delivery. When shipped via UPS, it is at the delivery driver's discretion to leave the package or not. If you prefer to have your order shipped 'Signature Required,' the comments box on the checkout page is the correct place to note this preference.

Domestic Shipping Information

We offer free UPS ground shipping on all orders over $200. A small shipping insurance fee ($.55/$100) will be billed on all orders, even those that qualify for free shipping. Every package that we ship is insured!

For orders less than $200, or orders which need priority shipping, we will bill you the UPS list rate for your shipment.

UPS is a very reliable carrier, and we have great success with them as our primary shipper. We do understand that there are local variations in service, and respect our customers past experiences with different carriers. If for some reason you DO NOT want to use UPS, mark the order as an "Special Shipping Instructions/Best Way" during checkout & provide other instructions in the comments box. We'll calculate a rate with your requested carrier and get back to you via email for approval. We can also process these requests over the phone. Please keep in mind that we take full advantage of UPS automation, so using another carrier (especially USPS), will likely delay your shipment by a day or two.

Exceptions: U.S. Postal Service Small Flat Rate Priority Boxes are very inexpensive (presently $6.35 regardless of weight). So if it fits in one of those small boxes, USPS might be best for you. And for most of the USA, they really do achieve 2 to 3 day delivery.

U.S. Islands

Shipping to Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Saipan, etc. is best by U.S. Priority Mail. It is fast!

Alaska

If we are shipping to you in Alaska, you probably know which method is best for you, whether it is USPS or UPS. Please let us know your preference.

A valid telephone number is required for all international shipments! That is not just our rule, but no shipper will accept an international shipment without a telephone number. Providing your telephone number is for your benefit if the shipper has any questions.

We are very flexible and accommodating with international shipping methods. We understand that our customers know better than we do what works in their home countries, and we'll do what we can to fulfill special requests.

UPS offers extremely fast delivery to nearly everywhere on the planet. Their rates are expensive, but this is a premium service with outstanding tracking service. For large purchases, UPS is strongly recommended, even though it is more costly. UPS Worldwide Expedited reaches most destinations within 48 hrs.

USPS offers much less expensive rates than UPS, but their tracking service is useless. We've found that USPS Global EMS reaches most destinations in about a week, and USPS Global Priority reaches most destinations in about 2 weeks. These times are longer than the estimated times quoted on the USPS web site, but are realistic based on our experience.

Delays are almost always caused by customs clearance issues, and can be resolved by communicating with the customs authority in your country. Customs will usually try to call you when the package lands, but contacting them can't hurt.

CanadaWe've had an alarming number of complaints about customs brokerage charges and incorrect classifications on items carried by UPS to Canada. We suggest that our Canadian customers choose USPS.

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https://reefphoto.com/blogs/faq/my-order-status-is-what-does-that-mean2017-12-22T12:17:00-05:002018-01-18T11:31:21-05:00My order status is . . . What does that mean?Bethany Gaffey
Find out what's going on with your order.

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Your order is always assigned a status, which can be viewed by logging into your account using your email address and password:

If you placed your order online, you selected a password when you created your account.

If you placed your order by telephone, you were emailed a password. You can log in using that password, and then modify your password to one of your choice.

Order status:

Pending:

Your order is in our system and is awaiting clerical processing.

Processing:

Your order has been printed and sent to shipping for fulfilment .

Shipped:

Your order has been packed and scheduled for pickup by the shipper.

Once the shipping label has been printed, you will get an email from us with the tracking number.

Once the shipper scans the package into their system, you will get a confirmation from them.

Update:

Your order is incomplete and not ready for processing. This may be because:

you ordered non-standard items which we are trying to locate

you called or emailed us to add items to your order

an issue may have arisen with your payment

you requested a change in shipping instructions

If you ever have questions about your order, feel free to call us at 877-453.8927 or use our handy Contact Page for more information.]]>
https://reefphoto.com/blogs/faq/how-soon-will-my-order-ship2017-12-22T12:08:00-05:002018-01-18T11:32:13-05:00How soon will my order ship?Bethany Gaffey
We know! You want instant gratification and we try to supply it...

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While we maintain an extensive inventory, it is impossible for us to stock every item listed on our site.

For items which we have in stock, we offer same day shipping for orders placed before 3:00 pm EST.

With the exception of special order items, we do not charge your credit card until your order ships. It is in our best interest and yours that we ship out your order as soon as the items are available. We don't get paid until your order is on its way to you!

If your item is not in stock, it generally takes 3-5 days to receive it from US manufacturers, and up to three weeks from non-US manufacturers (assuming that the manufacturer has your item in stock). Items from outside the US are always subject to unforeseen delays in shipping and customs inspections.

Newly released items or other high demand products and may be backordered for extended periods. We ship these items on a first ordered - first shipped basis. To ensure you get a high demand product as soon as possible, it is always best to place an order for it as early as possible.

Please don't put off ordering backordered products and ask us to call you when they are available. It is impossible to remember all such requests. It is always best to get your order into our system to secure your place in line.]]>
https://reefphoto.com/blogs/faq/what-methods-of-payment-do-you-accept2017-12-22T12:07:00-05:002018-01-18T11:29:27-05:00What methods of payment do you accept?Bethany Gaffey
The dark side of instant gratification. Here's how to pay for your order...

We will consider purchase orders from government and educational institutions on a case by case basis.

For international orders, we gladly accept:

Paypal (when shipped to a verified Paypal address)

Cashiers Check

Wire Transfer

Please Contact Us for Wire Transfer details.

Unfortunately, our Credit Card provider prohibits us from accepting credit cards from international addresses. If you reside outside of the United States, we will contact you to arrange payment via wire transfer or Paypal.]]>
https://reefphoto.com/blogs/faq/where-can-i-learn-more2017-12-22T12:02:00-05:002018-01-18T11:26:35-05:00Where can I learn more?Bethany Gaffey
The quest for knowledge doesn't stop here. Enlightenment awaits....

A free monthly magazine by the famous Peter Rowlands. Well worth a download

These are just a few of the many great sites that will help you become a better underwater photographer.]]>
https://reefphoto.com/blogs/faq/cannot-be-home-for-delivery2017-12-22T12:00:00-05:002018-01-18T11:28:07-05:00Cannot be home for delivery?Bethany Gaffey
We often have customers who are not home during the day, and don't live or work close to a UPS customer pickup location, that ask us to ship their order 'No Signature Required.' Our policy is...

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We often have customers who are not home during the day, and don't live or work close to a UPS customer pickup location, that ask us to ship their order 'No Signature Required.' Our policy is:

For orders with a value of less than $500USD, we do not require a signature for delivery. When shipped via UPS, it is at the delivery driver's discretion to leave the package or not. If you want your order shipped 'Signature Required,' the comments box on the checkout page is the correct place to note this preference.

For orders greater than $500USD, our insurer requires adult signature confirmation of delivery. If you wish to waive this requirement:

Include these instructions in the comments box on the checkout page or contact the store directly.

You release us from any liability relating to the successful delivery of the order.

Once the package leaves our premises, it becomes the property of the purchaser.

If you are in doubt about the security of a package left at your door, we suggest you have the package shipped to a work address or a friend or relative instead.

For domestic (US) customers, UPS now offers enhanced delivery options, including delivery alerts, reschedule delivery, and delivery to alternate addresses (some of these are extra cost options). You can learn more at https://www.ups.com/mychoice/features/.

In order for us to ship to an alternate shipping address, other than the billing address for your credit card, you'll need to phone your credit card company (the 800 number on the back of the card) and have the shipping address added as an alternate authorized shipping address for your account.

We certainly hope that you'll stop in for a visit whenever you're in the area. Need directions to our store? Click here. If you're looking for a great dive operator in the area, we suggest the following:

Only minutes from downtown West Palm Beach and within walking distance of the warm clear water of the Atlantic Ocean, Pura Vida Divers is your one-stop shop for all things diving... we want to help you 'Live the Pure Life!'

Boynton Beach:

Underwater Explorers

CALL: (561)577-3326

Come experience South Florida's healthiest and most beautiful reefs and wrecks with Underwater Explorers. They are conveniently located just minutes away from the premier dive sites of Boynton, Delray and Palm Beach, and are a service oriented dive charter, dedicated to the protection and preservation of our coral reefs.

They believe that crowded boats aren't much fun, and so in an effort to provide the highest quality diving experiences, limit trips to six passengers. Their 34 foot Crusader is rigged for comfort and features an easy to board custom dive ladder, complimentary snacks and drinks, a partially shaded deck, head, heated shower, and best of all.. room! And they specialize in underwater photography trips!

Fort Lauderdale:

American Dream Dive Charters

CALL (954) 577-0338

Capt. Todd and Chris Rogers operate the American Dream II, a new USCG certified 46' custom-built dive vessel from the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 Resort just minutes from the best diving South Florida has to offer!

The American Dream II is both roomy and comfortable, boasting over 400 Sq. Ft. of deck space, complete with upper level seating. Her 16' beam adds to her spaciousness and stability. Amenities include dual freshwater showers, two large ladders on a full width dive platform with water level entry and camera table.

All outings include complimentary snacks and beverages for passengers. The American Dream II is manned by a fun, friendly, professional crew, with diver safety and comfort paramount.

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https://reefphoto.com/blogs/faq/flat-ports-dome-ports-diopters-what-does-it-all-mean2017-12-21T14:10:00-05:002017-12-21T14:10:14-05:00Flat ports? Dome ports? Diopters? What does it all mean?Bethany Gaffey
Why do you need different ports for different lenses? Does it really matter? Read on....

You most likely learned in your open water scuba course that objects underwater appear about 25% larger than they do in air. This is the result of the refraction of light rays as they pass thru the flat plane of your dive mask which forms a barrier between the water and the air trapped inside your mask.

The same rules apply to a camera lens behind the flat port of a housing. Light beams are travelling from water into air, just like your dive mask. For macro photography, this is a good thing. You gain free (as opposed to paying for a more powerful lens) magnification of your subject.

But what about wide angle photography? For wide angle, we're trying to capture a wider area. We want the subject to appear smaller to encompass more area in the image. This is where a dome port comes to the rescue. A dome port, when used under water, creates a "virtual image," which is what the camera records. This virtual image is located close to the camera, usually at a distance of about twice the diameter of the dome from the sensor (or film plane). Using this formula, a six-inch dome will have a virtual image 12 inches from the recording media, and a nine-inch dome at about 18 inches. If your camera/lens combination cannot focus on the virtual image, you're in trouble. Out of focus images are the one thing that can't be fixed in Photoshop.

This is where diopters come into the picture. A diopter when added to a lens, decreases the working distance of that lens, meaning that the lens now can focus on objects closer to the camera. It also generally means that the lens can no longer focus on distant objects, but for this application that is not a concern, as our only concern when using the dome port is focusing on the virtual image.

That's all there is to it. The rule of thumb is flat ports for macro lenses - dome ports for wide angle and general use zoom lenses.

Contact us and we will help you choose the correct port for your needs.

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https://reefphoto.com/blogs/faq/does-anybody-make-a-housing-for-my-_-_-_-_-_-_-camera2017-12-13T16:07:00-05:002018-01-18T10:43:38-05:00Does anybody make a housing for my _ _ _ _ _ _ camera?Bethany Gaffey
If you camera is a current model.... probably. If not, there may still be hope.

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While manufacturers offer housing for many popular cameras, it is impossible and economically impractical to make a housing for every camera on the market. Each new housing requires a considerable investment in engineering, prototyping and testing before the housing can ever move into production.

The advent of modern digital cameras has only aggravated the problem. There are hundreds and hundreds of cameras on the market at any given time, and most have a market life of only about a year (or less).

Quite often, a camera is very near the end of its 'market life' before a housing becomes available for it. Once a newer camera becomes popular, it is not feasible for the housing manufacturers to continue manufacturing or stocking a product for a discontinued camera.

If a housing is available for your camera, we can probably get it for you. If a housing to fit your camera is no longer available, you might find a previously owned one in our 'Pre-Owned Gear' listings. Please Contact Us for more details.

Considering the continued downward price spiral of modern digital cameras and the rapid pace of camera innovation, it is often more prudent to buy a new camera (for which a housing is readily available), than to chase a housing for a camera that you already own.

Housings:To determine the port type for your housing, measure the diameter of the opening in the mount.

A housing with type 3 ports will measure approximately 100mm (4 inch).

For type 4, the measurement will be approximately 110mm (4+3/8 inch).

Ports: If you don't have a Subal housing at hand to determine what ports you have, measure the external diameter of the mount lip (not the bayonet flanges).

For Type 3, the measurement is 93.5 mm (3.68 in)

For Type 4, the measurement is 102.5 mm (4 in)

Subal Type 3 Port

Subal Type 4 Port

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https://reefphoto.com/blogs/faq/care-and-feeding-of-your-new-housing2017-12-13T15:46:00-05:002018-01-18T10:41:06-05:00Care and Feeding of Your New HousingBethany Gaffey
What? You mean I have to take care of this thing? Welcome to the world of u/w photography. We have a few suggestions for a long and happy relationship.

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I often tell people that the key word in a long and happy relationship with u/w photo gear is 'meticulous.' This is particularly important when setting up your rig to go diving. With careful attention to detail, you will never have to utter the 'F word'. While our suggestions below reference housings, many of the same principles apply to strobes, video/focus lights, etc.

Let's start with o-rings...

I know, this takes time, but after all, you're probably on vacation, so you probably have some spare time. Think about the cost of a fl**d vs. the cost of a few extra minutes to do it properly.

How often should I maintain them?There is no simple rule for this question, you have to let common sense be your guide.

If you're enjoying the beautiful shore dives in Bonaire (or any shore dives), you are most likely dragging your rig thru the sand or at least thru shallow water full of sand from wave turbulence. In that instance, we recommend o-ring maintenance each time you open the housing. O-rings are like sand magnets.

If you are boat diving or on a live-aboard, you should service your o-rings each day. I like to find a quiet spot (away from the crowd) each morning to take care of this chore. The famous Jim Church said he always kept something in his mouth while setting up his rig... so he could not talk to anyone. That is good advice. This is the meticulous part, don't get distracted.

How do I remove them?Most people make this way, way too hard. The best way is to use both hands. With the index finger of each hand, press down on the o-ring channel with about 1" to 2" of o-ring between your fingers. Then gently slide your fingers together while still pressing down on the o-ring and the channel. You should see the o-ring 'bubble up' making a small loop that you can easily grasp.

If that fails, or you just don't have room for this method, a thin plastic card (think Blockbuster card) makes a good o-ring pick. Never, never use a knife, tweezers or any sharp object to remove your o-ring. These tools are steel. O-rings are rubber and housings are acrylic, polycarbonate or aluminum, all of which are softer than steel. You can damage not only the o-ring, but also the housing!

How do I clean them?First, make sure you have a clean, lint-free, pet-free, hair-free area to work in if possible. Most of the time, you can clean them by just pulling them, very gently, thru your fingers, pulling off any foreign material. Your finger tips are a great detector for any grit or other crud stuck to the o-ring.

Occasionally you may need more help. Just a drop of dish soap on your finger tip will do the trick as you pull the o-ring between your finger tips. Be very gentle. You never want to stretch the o-ring. After washing just give it a shake to remove any remaining water. Now you're ready to lube it up.

What about the housing?The best tool for cleaning the o-ring channel on your housing is a small foam tipped swab (no Q-tips, they can leave fibers behind). You can buy these swabs foam tipped at any Radio Shack, but even better, man-up and visit a local beauty supply. Foam tipped makeup applicators are about $1 per dozen and are the perfect size to fit even the smallest camera kit. Wipe the groove thoroughly with the swipe each time you remove the o-ring.

How much lube?The short answer is 'not that much.' For most divers, the tube that came with your housing (or strobe) is enough for years of diving. Your o-ring should have just a light sheen of lubricant, no globs!

Re-assemblyNow, just re-install the o-ring on your housing. A few brands of housings have pre-formed rectangular o-rings, but for most housings, just slip it back into the channel, insuring that it lays flat around the entire sealing surface. Even if you did not remove the o-ring, make a final visual inspection for lint or hair and you are ready to seal it up and dive!

What about desiccant?Most housings never need it. Fogging occurs when there is moist warm air trapped in the housing and you plunge it into cold water - instant condensation inside the housing. Aluminum housings in particular are very good conductors of heat, and very seldom require desiccant. If you experience fogging, the best remedy is to seal your housing while in the comfy confines of your air conditioned room where the air is drier than outdoors. On the boat, don't leave your housing out in the sun. If no shade is available, cover your housing with a damp towel.

On the Boat...

Rule Number 1:Never leave your rig in the rinse tank! More cameras get flooded in rinse tanks than in the ocean. No matter what you do, chances are good that someone will stumble along and dump a bigger rig on top of yours.

If there is no camera table, wrap your rig in a towel or other padding and stow it under your seat or in the cabin.

One of our favorite tools is a soft sided cooler sold just about anywhere. It not only makes a great padded carrier for your rig, but it can be filled with fresh water, making a private rinse tank for the boat and/or the ride home.

Don't hesitate to explain to the boat crew any special handling for your rig. There are so many u/w photographers these days that most boat crew are very good with cameras. If the boat is crowded with photographers, you might request that they just put your rig on the camera table or on the deck near your station instead of the rinse tank. See Rule Number 1.

After the dive.Give your housing a quick dunk in the rinse tank to rinse off any salt residue or sand, and then move it to safety. See Rule Number 1.

Back home...

Spa time.Your rig deserves a good soaking. A bath tub, laundry sink, wash tub, or the aforementioned soft sided cooler will make a great place for your housing's bath.

Work it out.While your housing is lounging in fresh water, push its buttons, rotate its dials, squeeze the shutter, caress its... never mind. This will force out any remaining salt water that might be trapped along the shafts of the controls. Crystalized salt and o-rings are a bad match!

Break it down.It's also a good idea to remove the tray, break down strobe arms and dismount strobes at bath time. This assures that nothing will get corroded in place.

Storage.If you will be storing your rig for an extended time without use, it's a good idea to remove the o-rings for storage to avoid deforming them. Add just a smidge of o-ring lube to the inside of a zip-loc baggie, smear it around really good, and put the housing and port o-rings in it for storage. Important...store the zip-loc baggie inside your housing so you don't forget the o-rings next time you dive.

Flying...

Let it breathe.When flying with your rig, it is important that the housing is not sealed. Either remove the o-rings, the port, or leave the back of the housing open. Flying from altitude to sea level with a sealed housing makes for a nasty vacuum lock on the housing.

Never travel with your camera in the housing.At first blush, this seems a logical way to save space, but the impacts that your luggage receives can cause damage to the housing controls, the camera or both. If you need space that badly, stuff your underwear inside the housing, but not your camera.

Professional service...

How often?Another question that cannot be definitively answered here. Obviously, the more you dive, the more often you should have your housing serviced. Where you dive is also important... salt water is harder on a housing than fresh water. Equally as important is how religiously you have followed the guidelines above.

For most divers, at least every two years is a good rule of thumb. Your use and care should be factored into that equation along with any problems that you've noticed with your housing.

How much does it cost?Sorry, no simple answer to this one either. It entirely depends on the condition of the housing when it arrives for service, and the complexity of the housing. To be fair to all of our customers, we charge by the hour for service, so the more crud the technician has to remove, and the more buttons and gears in a given housing, the more it will cost to overhaul.